Theme: “An Easter Hallelujah” By: Cassandra & Callahan Star
Quote: “Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.” – Janine di Giovanni
I have met many types of people who find ‘Easter’ very controversial.
There are the dubious origins of the name:
https://www.britannica.com/topic/Easter-holiday
Long story short; many believe that it’s named after a pagan goddess of fertility that you offered brightly colored eggs to.
If you have read any of my other blogs or posts on Facebook, you know that I have spoken about the pagan origins of many Christian holidays. This time however, I don’t want my time spent going over all those details.
Like my talk about Halloween, I would like to sum up why it doesn’t matter if you do ‘Easter egg hunts’ or not.
First, are you offering them to a goddess?
Jesus in the Scriptures made it very clear, that the heart matters more. The inside is more important, than the ‘exterior’ of a cup. (Matthew 23:25&27) What you do in your heart matters. Just as in when I Trick-Or-Treated as a child, I didn’t worship demons or offer candy to ghosts, so they didn’t hurt me.
The same is true when I color eggs with bright paint, stickers or sleeves. I don’t worship a goddess and I’m not beseeching someone for fertility.
Second, are any of the practices actually evil, immoral or hurtful to others?
Other than the occasional Egg toss accident, I have never been hurt on Easter. Candy, toys, games and family time have always been this holiday’s meaning. Especially, honoring the day Jesus Resurrected, while remembering His death and burial beforehand.
Oh, but the evils of an Easter Basket! And Bunnies, surely demon spawn!
I’m kidding.
It’s silly to treat such innocent things as a path to darkness and devil worship.
To quote Jesus again, “Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel.” (Matthew 23:24) There are much more important things we should do with our time and energy than splitting hairs about games and traditions passed down. How about we speak up against actual crimes and atrocities of religious freedom? No. Why? Because it’s not popular? That’s why it should be focused on. Bring into light what is in darkness. (1 Cor. 4:5)
Third, if it feels wrong… don’t do it. Though, you shouldn’t judge others that do. (Romans 14:13-23)
I have struggled for a while on which things I would want my child to participate in when they are born. (Not pregnant or even married yet so, long ways out).
I don’t want to lie to them, but I also don’t want to deny them the magical nature of special holidays that I loved as a child. Yet now have become far too political. “Don’t say Easter, say Resurrection Day”, “Don’t say Resurrection Day say Passover”, “Do this, don’t do that!”
It’s enough to drive someone insane. How about we all enjoy these things to the best of our abilities, honor the beliefs these days stand for, respect each household’s choice to do it different and not judge or treat others badly? I mean as long as no one is hurting someone else, I think we need to chill and just say, ‘Oh, Happy Day!’ and have fun.
So, say Happy Easter, Happy Holiday, Happy Resurrection Day, and wish people joy and blessings for the Feast of Passover. Let’s seek to enjoy and love each other and our blessed days of celebration!